By 1972, the “bloom was off the rose” for the Ford Mustang. From a record launch eight years earlier to a peak in sales of 607,000 units in 1966, the Mustang was just another “pony car” by the early 1970s. This ’72 ‘Stang “ran when parked” some time ago and needs both mechanical and cosmetic attention. From a free-standing carport near Eugene, Oregon, this rusty red project is available here on craigslist where the seller is hoping to get $5,500.
As time progressed, the Mustang got bigger and heavier. and – by the 1971-73 restyle came along – it was a bulker machine than Lee Iacocca introduced in 1964. Sales were down to 125,000 units, although a lot of cars wished they could sell that well. It wouldn’t be in 1974 when Ford redesigned the vehicle as the sub-compact Mustang II would the auto began to return to proportions from the earlier decade. The seller’s Mustang looks like the standard model, and it’s equipped with a 302 cubic inch V8, although no mention is made of numbers matching.
Some electrical gremlins may have sidelined the Ford as we’re told the engine will turn over but there is no spark (grounding problem?). It’s paired with an automatic transmission, but we don’t know if it functions the way it’s supposed to. The indicated mileage is 100,000, but that could just as well be a placeholder as it could be the actual reading.
The body is reportedly rust-free except for surface rust and there’s plenty of peeling paint. But more issues are lurking where you can’t necessarily see, and some patches or new panels may be needed. On the plus side, the white and black interior looks more than passable, at least if your goal is to turn this into a daily driver before attempting a restoration. Are you a fan of these later first-generation Mustangs?
Certain of the “big body” 71-73 Mustangs have a following (the high-performance models, convertibles, and the unique 72 Sprint for example), but not so much for a basic coupe like this.
It is certainly used up, but doesn’t really look abused. The interior actually might be decent after a good cleaning. Though the rust is a concern. This is likely a labor of love, maybe its future is as some sort of restomod.
Thanks Russ.
Looks like red overspray under the hood from a previous amateur paintjob that is in the process of peeling off the car… but I could be wrong.
Are those body gaps factory?
While the ‘Big Body’ Mustang Fastbacks and convertibles were actually kind of sleek looking, the coupes were ungainly at best. I don’t know, but I think you’d be spending a lot for paint/mechanicals on a car that wouldn’t be worth the investment. Just thinking. Not for me.
Being a Ford man, of course I’m a big Mustang fan, I have been since they first came out. My oldest brother and all his friends had Mustangs. Two of his friends had 65s, another had a 66 GT 350, it was a dark metallic blue with a wide white stripe going down the middle, and my brother had a black with black interior 66 square back it had a 289 with a 4 speed. It was the car I learned to drive a clutch in. Then there was the 1969 Mach l, it was light blue metallic with black interior and a 429 cubic inch engine and a 4 speed bolted to the back of it. It was the best-looking Mustang of them all. I knew then I would someday I too would have a Mustang. I graduated high school in 1972, and soon after I started looking for my Mustang. In less than 3 months I found mine, it was a 69 Mach l, it was the same colors as my brother’s friend’s light blue metallic with black interior. It had the yellow reflective stripes on each side and across the black. It was a 351with a 4 barrel Motorcraft 4300 carburetor and an FMX automatic transmission. It was love at first sight. It had power steering, power front disc brakes and air conditioning. It was way more than I ever thought my first car would be. I eventually had it painted black which was a much better fit for me. I drove that 69 everywhere I went, including weekend skiing trips to Mammoth Mountain, a 600 mile round trip. It handed the road perfectly, plus it looked fantastic with ski racks on the roof. I would put the racks on in October and would leave them on until May every year. I had the 69 for over 34 years. I hated to sell it, and wish I still had it. The 69 Mach I is in my opinion the best-looking Mustang model year. That said I like every Mustang generation including the 71 through 73 model years. We called them the shoebox Stangs. I liked the exterior styling, but the interior was very plain. Nothing could beat the 69 and 70 interior, which was incredibly good-looking and comfortable. Mustangs are just one reason why in my opinion, the Ford Motor Company is the number one auto maker. Ford has built more cars that have become iconic collectibles than any other automotive manufacturer.